Empire picks Week 11

The Empire was 4-1 on Pac 10 picks a week ago, and 1-3 in projected upsets, with Cam Newton vs NCAA still pending.

Washington State @ Oregon State

The Cougars are prepped to lose their ninth straight game before heading into the Apple Cup next week. Montana State still marks the lone victory of the season, and though Oregon State hasn’t lived up to early expectations, it does not play in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Line: Oregon State -23.5

Prediction: Oregon State 24, Washington State 10

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Oregon @ Cal

I’m sure you’ve heard all the hoopla over Cal’s defense, the team being undefeated at home, winning by a margin of blah, blah, blah. Ignore the inflated stats built by the bakery section of a local Berkeley market.

Line: Cal +19.5

Prediction: Oregon 51, Cal 13

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Stanford @ Arizona State

The Cardinal is still in the title hunt. Arizona State is a parade of errors. Luck is on Stanford’s side.

Line: Arizona State +5

Prediction: Stanford 35, Arizona State 27

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Upset Alerts

USC @ Arizona

The Trojans have to beat at least one of the teams they lost to in 2009, don’t they? Arizona has the gaudy defensive numbers, but look beyond the paper and holes are clearly visible.

Line: Arizona -4.5

Prediction: USC 38, Arizona 35

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Georgia @ Auburn

Yeah, I did it. Distractions aside, Auburn’s pass defense is second worse in the SEC, and Georgia has found a passing game.